Take 5 paintings by the Old Masters, artist Jeff Koons and French luxury Louis Vuitton, blend them all on an artist’s palette and you’ll quite literally get the Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters collection that launches in Singapore on 28 April 2017. Having had a preview of this collection whilst on my recent trip to Kuala Lumpur for Louis Vuitton, I’ll be honest and just say this. Unlike LV’s upcoming #LVxFragment and #LVxSupreme collections that are as straightforward as it gets, the #LVxKoons collaboration will have you firmly positioned on either side of the proverbial fence.

Using re-creations from his Gazing Ball series of works, the re-created masterpieces featuring the likes of da Vinci, Titian, Rubens, Fragonard and Van Gogh have been imported onto a vast selection of bags, small leather goods and accessories like key rings and scarves. All the pieces have been given additional flourish by way of Vuitton’s house monograms, the LV logo, as well as Jeff Koons’ graphic signature on the right bottom hand corner of each piece.

IMAGE: LOUIS VUITON

From Neverfull bags to the Keepall, there’s even the Palm Springs backpack and the Montaigne (prices to come in another update soon) adorned with selected masterpieces, and depending on which painting/shape of bag/colour combination you love the most, there’s definitely something for everyone if you’re on that side of the fence to begin with.

In other words, I won’t. But what about you?

IMAGE: LOUIS VUITTON

15 April 2017
For those of you keen to get yourself a piece from the Masters collection, here are the prices in Singapore dollars. For starters, the Neverfull MM is priced at SGD4300, while the Speedy30 will retail for SGD3750. The Montaigne MM will go for SGD5500, which also happens to be the same price as the Keepall50. Last but not least (as far as the bags are concerned anyway) is the Palm Springs Backpack, that will sell for SGD4300.

Now for the SLGs. The clutch (Rubens, show above) will sell for SGD2010, whilst the wallet on chain (featuring Mona Lisa) retails for SGD2420, which also happens to be the price of the Zippy Wallet that will come in all 5 designs.

There’s a bag charm (you know, the Koons rabbit one) that sells for SGD800 which is also the lowest priced item in the whole collection. Lastly, we have the silks, the silk square will sell for SGD995 while the light shawl is priced at SGD2000.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hysek, and also the 10th anniversary of brand’s manufacture status. Since its inception in 1997, the watchmaker has developed many incredibly impressive complex movements highlighted by their sophisticated aesthetic appearance that embody the brand’s disruptive watchmaking vision. And its newest watch introduced at the Baselworld 2017 is no different. A spiritual successor to the Grand Complication Colosso watch which was introduced in 2007, the new Colossal Grande Complication watch comes in a striking case and features quite a few incredible technical innovations.

One of the most complex vertical linear displays ever constructed, the watch boasts of 1080 components and took three years to develop. The movement of the watch is dubbed the HW80 caliber and takes 240 hours to assemble. The tourbillon beats at a fast rate of 4Hz and it has a balance wheel made out of titanium and a balance spring made out of a special alloy called PE4000. Only available in 18k rose gold, the Hysek Colossal Grande Complication measures 44mm wide, 57mm lug to lug, and is 18mm thick. Instead of a circular display using flat gears, the Colossal features roller-based numeric linear displays that use vertical gears, and unlike other watches of similar kind, it displays time in the 24-hour format.
Underneath the time display, there’s a large three-dimensional moon that also serves as the moon phase indicator. To the left of the moon phase indicator is a dual-timezone indicator, and to the right is the leap year indicator for the linear perpetual calendar below at 6 o’clock. A power reserve indicator can be read off the smaller sapphire window on the right side of the case. The Hysek Colossal Grande Complication is limited to just 8 pieces, and although the price has not been revealed yet, but the manufacturer confirms that it will be under $700,000.

From the Reissue 2.55 to the Boy Chanel, most of Chanel’s iconic handbags are inspired by the founder Coco Chanel. It’s usually something that Coco had experienced or observed during her lifetime that brought the ideas to the table. The Boy Bag for example, was created based on Coco’s boyish attitude. And as Karl Lagerfeld said: ‘she picked this up from Boy Cape, which as the love of the love’.

The Story

The latest Chanel Gabrielle Bag is crafted to pay homage to Madame Coco. According to Karl Lagerfeld, everyone called the Chanel founder Coco, but that was not her real name. Her real name was Gabrielle and this is the perfect name for a bag that has all the codes of Chanel.

The Gabrielle Bag has been heavily advertised and even got its own space on the Chanel website. It looks like this bag is determined to become the next iconic and might even compete against the famous Boy Chanel Bag.

The Design

The Reissue 2.55 was re-made to bring the art from the past back to life. But the Gabrielle Bag is really made for the future. It’s said that the bag is inspired by Virtual Reality Goggles and vintage binocular cases that men wear at the racecourse. The last part matches perfectly to the philosophy of Coco Chanel, because the quilting on the 2.55 Bag was also inspired by quilted jackets of jockey players. Coco knew very well how to get inspiration from men’s fashion.

And there are multiple ways to carry the bag. You can sling it on your shoulder, throw it over your shoulder, wrap the chain so you can tote it or change it to a fanny pack by looping the leather fixings. The collection is truly unique because of the different shapes that are available. There is an backpack, an hobo, a tote bag and an drawstring edition.

At WWD, Karl Largerfeld said that the Gabrielle Bag is meant to be worn in many different circumstances and it’s not very feminine in the sense of being Chichi. Which brings us to the next topic.

Unisex

Chanel has just broken the record and all the rules of its tradition. Pharrell Williams has been participating in an ad campaign featuring the Chanel Gabrielle Bag. He is now the first man to be seen with a Chanel bag ad in the house’s 108 year of existence.

So what does this mean? The house wants to tap into the men’s fashion market by promoting the Chanel Gabrielle Bag as a unisex bag. So what do you think about that? Put your thoughts in the comment section.

After unveiling the campaign last month, British fashion brand Topshop has finally launched its wedding dress collection. Called Topshop Bride, the line features a limited edition range of five bridal gowns. From glittery beads to lustrous satin and delicate lace, get ready to walk down the aisle like a princess. Priced between $650 and $1,500, these unique styles feature hand-embellished decorations representing dozens of hours.

TOPSHOP BRIDE WEDDING DRESSES COLLECTION

Topshop Bride Tulle Midi Bridal Dress $800
An ivory dress includes delicate tulle overlay with Chantilly lace sleeves as well as a feminine skirt and tailored waist.Topshop Bride Embellished Pencil Midi Dress $1,500
Turn up the shine factor in a champagne-hued dress with hand-decorated beads in a body-hugging silhouette.Topshop Bride Embroidered Applique Maxi Bridal Dress $750
Made from a shiny satin and lightweight georgette, this gown is perfect for a warm weather wedding with its peach pink hue.Topshop Bride Satin Tie Shoulder Dress $650
Take on a minimal look with Topshop Bride’s ivory satin gown featuring pearl-embellished tie fastenings and a floor-pooling hem.

THIS WEEK, WE FOUND AWESOME BAGS FROM FENDI, CHLOÉ, GIVENCHY AND BEYOND.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was a lovely spring Friday, but it was in the dead of full-price season for designer wares. Fret not, good PurseBloggers, for we are here to assist in this time of need. As we are wont to do, we scoured the best shopping destinations on the internet, and for you we have well over a dozen discounted bag finds that would make lovely additions to any wardrobe. Check them out below.